Bambang Pamungkas
The Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) under Indonesia’s Ministry of Law and Human Rights has officially announced a significant adjustment to the Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) tariffs for general trademark registration, marking an increase of 55.6% per class. This revision, formalized through the issuance of Government Regulation (PP) Number 30 Year 2026, which supersedes the previous PP 45/2024, raises the fee for general trademark applications to IDR 2.8 million per class, up from the prior IDR 1.8 million. The move comes after nearly a decade without any changes to the fee structure, with the last adjustment having been implemented in 2016. According to Hermansyah Siregar, the Director General of Intellectual Property, this strategic decision is a proactive step by the government to ensure the continued enhancement of intellectual property services, adapting to rapid technological advancements, the escalating volume of applications, and the persistent demand for faster, higher-quality service delivery.
Details of the Tariff Adjustment and Its Rationale
The 55.6% increase in trademark registration fees for general applicants represents a substantial shift in the cost structure for businesses seeking to protect their brand identities in Indonesia. Prior to this new regulation, businesses paid IDR 1.8 million for each class of goods or services under which they registered their trademark. With the enactment of PP No. 30 Year 2026, this fee now stands at IDR 2.8 million per class. This multi-class system allows a single trademark application to cover various categories of products or services, meaning the total cost can multiply depending on the scope of protection sought by an applicant.
Director General Hermansyah Siregar elaborated on the compelling reasons behind this long-anticipated adjustment. He underscored that the previous tariff had remained static since its establishment in 2016. In the intervening years, Indonesia’s economic landscape has transformed dramatically, accompanied by a burgeoning digital economy and an increased awareness of the strategic value of intellectual property (IP). This evolution has placed immense pressure on the DJKI to modernize its infrastructure, streamline processes, and expand its human resources to meet the growing demands effectively. The needs for organizing IP services have continuously evolved, driven by the rapid pace of technological development, a consistent rise in the number of applications, and the public’s legitimate expectation for increasingly swift and high-quality services.
Hermansyah framed the tariff adjustment as a crucial "government endeavor" aimed at ensuring that trademark registration services not only become more efficient and robust but also remain adaptive to technological progress. Furthermore, it seeks to provide stronger legal certainty for the community, a cornerstone for fostering a predictable and fair business environment. The revenue generated from these increased fees is earmarked for direct reinvestment into the IP ecosystem, thereby enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of the services provided by the DJKI. This approach aligns with the principle that user fees should, to some extent, contribute to the sustainability and improvement of the services they fund.
Commitment to Enhanced Service Delivery
A central tenet of the DJKI’s justification for the fee hike is an explicit commitment to significantly upgrade its service offerings. Hermansyah Siregar assured the public that the government would embark on a series of comprehensive service enhancements. These improvements are designed to directly address the current challenges faced by applicants and to bring Indonesia’s IP services closer to international best practices.
Key areas of improvement highlighted include:
- Strengthening Electronic Application Systems: This involves not only enhancing the stability and user-friendliness of the online application portal but also potentially integrating more advanced features, such as AI-assisted preliminary checks, to reduce common errors and expedite initial processing. A robust e-application system is vital for reducing administrative burdens and making IP protection more accessible, particularly for applicants outside major urban centers.
- Improving Data Security: With an increasing reliance on digital platforms, safeguarding sensitive applicant data and intellectual property information is paramount. Enhanced data security protocols will protect against cyber threats, unauthorized access, and data breaches, thereby building greater trust among applicants and ensuring the integrity of the national IP database.
- Developing Digital-Based Services: Beyond mere electronic applications, this encompasses a broader vision for digital transformation within the DJKI. It could involve developing mobile applications for tracking application status, providing online consultation services, offering digital certificates, and leveraging blockchain technology for enhanced record-keeping and authenticity verification. Such services aim to provide convenience and real-time information to applicants.
- Refinement and Acceleration of Trademark Examination Processes: One of the most critical aspects of trademark registration is the examination phase, which often determines the speed at which protection is granted. The DJKI plans to optimize this process, potentially through increased examiner training, adopting advanced search tools to identify prior art more efficiently, and implementing lean methodologies to reduce backlogs. A faster examination process translates directly into quicker legal certainty for businesses, allowing them to market their brands with confidence sooner.
These promised improvements are not merely cosmetic; they represent a strategic investment in the foundational infrastructure of Indonesia’s IP regime. By ensuring that the system can handle a growing volume of applications with greater speed and accuracy, the DJKI aims to foster an environment where innovation and creativity are more effectively protected and leveraged for economic growth.
Unwavering Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK)
Crucially, amidst the general increase in fees, the DJKI has reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK). Director General Hermansyah Siregar emphatically stated that the special tariff for UMKs would remain unchanged at IDR 500,000 per class. This policy reflects the government’s recognition of UMKs as the backbone of the Indonesian economy, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and equitable wealth distribution.
Beyond maintaining the preferential fee, the government has also simplified the registration requirements for UMKs, making the process more accessible and less cumbersome. According to Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights Number 5 Year 2026, UMK applicants can now provide one of the following documents as proof of their status:
- A Recommendation Letter for UMK (Surat Rekomendasi UMK).
- A Risk-Based Business Identification Number (Nomor Izin Berusaha or NIB Berbasis Risiko).
- A Certificate of Individual Company (Sertifikat Perseroan Perorangan).
- Official endorsement of the establishment of a Village or Sub-district Red and White Cooperative (pengesahan pendirian badan hukum Koperasi Desa atau Kelurahan Merah Putih).
This streamlined documentation process is a significant boon for small business owners who may find navigating complex bureaucratic procedures challenging. By easing the entry barriers to IP protection, the government aims to encourage more UMKs to secure their brands, thereby protecting their unique products and services from infringement and enabling them to compete more effectively in the market. Hermansyah emphasized that this dual approach—raising fees for general applicants while maintaining and simplifying support for UMKs—demonstrates the government’s balanced strategy of improving service quality while simultaneously nurturing grassroots economic development.
Broader Context: The Importance of Intellectual Property in Indonesia
The adjustment of trademark fees cannot be viewed in isolation; it is part of a broader national strategy to strengthen Indonesia’s intellectual property ecosystem. In an increasingly globalized and knowledge-based economy, IP assets, particularly trademarks, are pivotal for business success and national competitiveness.
Trademarks serve as more than just names or logos; they are critical identifiers of origin, quality, and reputation. For businesses, a registered trademark provides legal certainty, granting the owner exclusive rights to use the mark for specified goods or services and the ability to take legal action against infringers. This protection is vital for building brand equity, fostering consumer loyalty, and differentiating products in a crowded marketplace.
From a national perspective, a robust IP system encourages innovation and creativity. When creators and businesses are confident that their intellectual efforts will be protected, they are more likely to invest in research and development, develop new products, and create unique brands. This, in turn, stimulates economic growth, attracts foreign investment, and enhances Indonesia’s position in the global economy. The DJKI’s continuous efforts to modernize its services and enforce IP rights are crucial for combating counterfeiting and piracy, which not only harm legitimate businesses but also erode consumer trust and undermine the integrity of the market. The call from DJKI for society to continue protecting trademarks as identity and business assets with economic value underscores this national imperative. Protecting a brand is not merely a legal formality; it is an investment in a business’s future and a contribution to the nation’s economic strength.
Chronology and Timeline of Regulatory Changes
To understand the current adjustment, a brief timeline is essential:
- 2016: The previous trademark registration tariff was established and remained unchanged for nearly a decade. This period saw significant technological shifts and economic growth, highlighting the need for a review.
- PP 45/2024: This Government Regulation previously stipulated the fees for various state non-tax revenues, including trademark registration. It served as the legal basis for the IDR 1.8 million fee per class for general applicants.
- PP 5/2026: This specific Regulation of the Minister of Law and Human Rights was issued to simplify the requirements for UMKs seeking trademark registration, demonstrating the government’s proactive efforts to support small businesses even before the general fee hike.
- PP 30/2026: This new Government Regulation officially replaced PP 45/2024 and introduced the revised tariff structure, raising the general trademark registration fee to IDR 2.8 million per class.
- July 17, 2026: The date of the official statement from Director General Hermansyah Siregar, clarifying the reasons and implications of the new tariffs.
This chronology illustrates a deliberate and structured approach by the Indonesian government to update its IP framework, responding to both internal operational needs and external economic dynamics.
Implications and Anticipated Reactions
The increase in trademark registration fees carries several implications for various stakeholders within the Indonesian business ecosystem:
For Large Businesses and Corporations:
While the 55.6% increase is substantial, larger entities with extensive brand portfolios may view it as a necessary cost for improved service quality. Their primary concern will likely shift from the fee itself to the actual delivery of the promised enhancements—faster processing times, greater legal certainty, and more robust digital services. They might express concerns about increased operational costs, especially for companies with numerous brands or those expanding into multiple product categories, but the benefits of a more efficient and secure IP system could outweigh these. Industry associations such as the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) or the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) may issue statements acknowledging the need for service improvement while advocating for transparency in how the increased revenue is utilized and ensuring that the promised enhancements are indeed realized.
For Medium-Sized Enterprises:
These businesses might feel the impact more acutely than large corporations. While they also benefit from IP protection, the increased cost could influence their decisions on how many classes to register or when to file applications. They will be keen observers of the service improvements, hoping that the higher fees translate into tangible benefits that justify the increased investment.
For Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK):
The unchanged special tariff of IDR 500,000 per class and simplified requirements represent a significant win for UMKs. This preferential treatment is crucial for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at the grassroots level. It ensures that the financial barrier to IP protection remains low, encouraging more small businesses to formalize and protect their brands, thereby strengthening their market position and contributing to local economic development. UMK associations and cooperatives are likely to welcome this continued support enthusiastically.
For the DJKI and the Government:
The increased PNBP collection provides the DJKI with much-needed funds to invest in technology, human capital development, and infrastructure. This revenue is vital for its mission to provide world-class IP services, reduce backlogs, and enhance enforcement capabilities. From a governance perspective, it demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring the sustainability and modernization of its public services, aligning with broader national development goals that prioritize innovation and a competitive economy. The challenge for the DJKI will be to visibly demonstrate the improvements in service quality to justify the increased fees and maintain public trust.
Overall Economic Impact:
A well-functioning IP system is a key indicator of a country’s business environment. By strengthening its IP protection mechanisms, Indonesia aims to attract more foreign direct investment, encourage domestic innovation, and enhance its global economic standing. The move signifies a maturation of Indonesia’s IP policy, moving towards a system where users contribute to the cost of maintaining high-quality services, akin to many developed nations. While there might be initial adjustments for businesses, the long-term benefits of a more efficient, secure, and responsive IP system are expected to outweigh the immediate cost increase, fostering a more robust and competitive economic landscape for Indonesia.
In conclusion, the DJKI’s decision to raise general trademark registration fees, while significant, is presented as a calculated step towards building a more advanced and effective intellectual property infrastructure in Indonesia. By committing to substantial service improvements and simultaneously safeguarding the accessibility of IP protection for its vital Micro and Small Enterprises, the government aims to strike a balance between fiscal sustainability, operational excellence, and inclusive economic growth. The success of this policy will ultimately be measured by the visible enhancements in IP services and the continued thriving of Indonesia’s innovative business community.
